Skinny Bitch

So, I've been reading this book. Have you read it? What'd ya think of it?

I'm not about to go all extreme and turn my family into a non-everything eating vegans... but I think we will start with a small change. Or I will anyway. I am going to go vegetarian. I'm going to give it the best go I can. What affected me the most was the parts about the inhumane treatment of the animals on the factory farms. It really bothers me. I've been researching the vegetarian lifestyle all morning. Trying to learn exactly what it entails. Reading recipes and other ways to get enough protein, etc out of your diet. Greg and I went grocery shopping and we purchased a few MorningStar items. Veggie burgers, veggie chicken sandwiches, veggie corn dogs and a bag of veggie meatless meat. We just made a lasagna with the veggie meatless meat (it's like a lb of burger meat, frozen). It is very good. I have to say I'm pretty impressed. Greg is taking a nap, so we'll see what he says when he gets up.

I've always been a little iffy about meat. Yes, I've eaten countless burgers, chicken sandwiches and steaks in my life. But it's the memories like my aunt chowing down on a rare prime rib still soaking in blood on her plate that make me quiver with disgust. The smell of ham brings me back to 12th grade biology lab... where we dissected baby pigs (it seriously smells the same and I've had a hard time eating deli sliced ham since). Ours was named bacon. That is so sad.

While giving up meat will be challenging at times... I think overall it will be a healthy lifestyle change for me... maybe even help me loose a few lbs... since I can't eat much fast food anymore... (crying inside)... but the alternative versions to meat are, from what I've tasted so far, pretty good.

The other part of the book that bothers me is when they talk about milk. Mainly the hormones that are injected into the cows to aid their bodies in producing unnatural amounts of milk and what these hormones can/will do to a human. I've heard before from my chiropractor (who specializes in pregnant women's chiro) that we are the only adult species on the planet that drinks milk. And we drink another species milk. Why not zebra milk? Elephant milk? Why? Because cows are easier to house. The book eludes that this all comes down to money. The dairy industry being a billion dollar industry every year due to the help of very clever advertising campaigns. Is milk entirely unnecessary for our diet? Did you know that like humans, cows only produce milk when they give birth. That is when the are meant to produce milk... not at a farmers request. They aren't animals that actually need to be milked. This is all very perplexing to me. Really makes me consider what I'm putting in my (and Ellie's) mouth. Have any of you tried the Silk soy milk? Your opinion?

I know a few of you out there are vegitarians. I'd appreciate any info/advice/products/recipes/websites that you have found helpful.

My mom just called and wants to meet me at McDonald's at noon with Ellie... this will be my first challenge... salad and a fruit n yogurt parfeit it will be. :)

p.s. I don't actually think I will ever become a skinny bitch. ;)